Kellogg's reformulated Rice Krispies and Coco Pops in the UK, replacing whole rice grains with corn flour and rice flour while adding wheat gluten as an ingredient. The company attributed the change to disrupted grain supplies caused by "changing weather conditions."
Consumers complained online that the cereals no longer produce the distinctive "pop" sound when milk is added, a signature feature of the brand since the 1950s. Some users said the taste and texture were "totally different" and called the new versions "grim" and "disgusting."
Kellogg's said it had "carefully assessed" the new versions for taste, appearance and texture. The company stated the reformulation helps "maintain consistent quality" as extreme weather affects crops and ingredient prices. The cereals will continue to meet UK nutritional standards for fat, salt and sugar, and contain no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners, the company said.
Packaging will now include a "contains wheat gluten" warning instead of the previous "may contain gluten" label, since gluten is now a direct ingredient rather than a potential cross-contaminant from factory handling.
The recipe changes do not apply to Rice Krispies products sold in the US and Canada. Kellogg's has not changed recipes for any of its other cereals. The company noted that much of the world's rice comes from Asia, a region affected by droughts, floods and heatwaves linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon.